Stalin advises CM not to be ‘remotely operated’

MK Stalin also asked him not to “get operated remotely” from Bengaluru, in an apparent reference to AIADMK chief VK Sasikala. 

Extending his greetings, Stalin said, “he should not seek consultations from Bengaluru prison,” and see that the oath of office and secrecy he has taken today, according to the Constitution, is not infringed upon. 

“I urge him to run the government for the welfare and growth of Tamil Nadu people, fully realising the duties and responsibilities of the office of Chief Minister,” Stalin said. 

While referring to Bengaluru, he cited Sasikala being lodged in a Bengaluru jail (undergoing jail term following her conviction in the assets case), and by pointing out “here,” he made a veiled reference to AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran who is also Sasikala’s nephew. 

Earlier, the DMK welcomed the Tamil Nadu Governor’s invitation to AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palanisamy to form the government, and urged him to monitor the situation “to prevent horse trading” which he claimed was happening even as the government was being sworn in. 

Commenting on the recent developments, DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said that his party MLAs would not support the AIADMK in the floor test. 

“This government will anyway not survive the floor test and I am confident the DMK will be forming a government soon,” Anbazhagan said at an event in Tiruppur. 

His comment triggered speculations that the DMK could play a role in ensuring that EPS government formed on Thursday does not produce the required 117 MLAs during the floor test to be held on Saturday. 

Speaking to this newspaper, a DMK source said that this is the right time for the DMK to act if they have to form a government. “But even that might be unnecessary as this government could crumble under its own weight,” he said.